This presentation was given at the 2014 Future Harvest Conference.

1. Let’s Get Started Grazing
Steffanie Simpson
White Hall Farm
Kearneysville, WV
whitehallfarm@frontiernet.net

2. White Hall Farm
 53 Acres in Jefferson County, WV plus 20 Acres leased for 2014
 100 head of Commercial Katahdin Ewes
 30 head of Replacement Ewe lambs (2013)
 30 head of Commercial Kiko Cross, Nubian, and Boer Does
 10 head of Replacement Doelings (2013)
 95 % Ram Lambs and Bucklings marketed for Eid al-Adha
 Ewe Lambs have been retained to grow the flock
 Goal is for the flock to produces lambs/kids that thrive on
forage

3. Everybody Has Pasture, Right?
 In 2013 we lambed and kidded in Feb/March
 Purchased feed until we had grass growing
 Beginning in 2014, Lambing and Kidding will start April 1
 Allows for pregnant ewes and does to graze small grains last 30
days
 Lamb/Kid on pasture and remain on pasture
 Lambs and Kids will wean in July and graze Millet/Brassica until
market
 Looks like we need the most forage in the summer…

4. Our Pastures consisted of …

6. So, What Can We Do To Fill That Gap?
 Planted approx 12 acres in Millet/Brassica mix
 Rented No-Till Drill of local Conservation District
 Grazed weaned lambs and kids---130 head
 July 15 until mid to late September 2013
 For simplicity 90 days of grazing
 Sale price per pound $2.00, average weight 75 pounds=$19,500
 The average daily labor for moving rotational fences=2 hours
 Very similar to the daily labor to feed the same amount of animals

8. Low Input vs. High Input
Grazing Forages
Purchasing Feeds

9. What actually happened…
20
18
16
14
12
10
8
6
4
2
0
Grazing
Total Cost
Feed
Cost
Time
$$
Return
$1,250
$6,812
Return
Grazing
Feeding
$18,250
$12,700

10. Ewe Lambs and Doelings grazing Millet/Brassica

11. Manage for re-growth
Take Half…..
……Leave Half

12. Added Benefits of Rotational Grazing
 Disperse Manure Across
Field
 Eliminate Concentrated
Feeding Areas
 Reduce Parasite Risks
 Continually Fresh Forage
 Value-Added Product

13. Tools of the Trade…
Electric Net Fencing

14. Gallagher SmartFence Reel

15. Powering Your Electric Fence
 Choose high quality charger that exceeds your needs
 Proper installation and maintenance
Grounding rods
Connectors
Cut-out switches
Check it everyday

16. What Is Our Target?
 Quality Lambs and Goats with correct finish
 Finish Lambs and Goats for Eid al Adha
 We needed a few lambs for local, traditional processing
 Ewe Lambs and Doelings to continue growing for
replacements

17. Ethnic/religious holidays impact prices.
Price per cwt, ~70 lb. lambs, Prime and Choice, YG 2-3
Festival of the Sacrifice
New Holland, Pennsylvania
Oct 15
$240
$220
Orthodox Easter (May
$200
Western Easter
Mar 31
$180
$160
$140
$120
25-Nov
11-Nov
28-Oct
14-Oct
30-Sep
16-Sep
2-Sep
19-Aug
5-Aug
22-Jul
24-Jun
10-Jun
27-May
13-May
29-Apr
15-Apr
1-Apr
18-Mar
4-Mar
18-Feb
4-Feb
21-Jan
7-Jan
$100
8-Jul
Ramadan
Jul 9- Aug 8

18. Quality (finish) affects prices.
27-36 kg kids, $ per head (weighted average)
New Holland, Pennsylvania USA
April 1 -November, 4, 2013
$200
$180
$160
$140
$120
$100
$80
$60
4/1
4/8
4/22 4/29
5/6
5/13 5/20 5/27
6/3
6/10 6/17 6/24
7/1
7/8
7/15 7/29
8/5
8/12 8/19 8/26
9/2
9/9
9/16 9/23 9/30 10/21 10/28 11/4
Selection 1
$13
$15
$15
$16
$15
$15
$16
$14
$17
$16
$14
$14
$16
$18
$15
$12
$13
$13
$15
$14
$13
$14
$13
$13
$15
161
139
141
Selection 2
$10
$13
$13
$14
$12
$11
$12
$14
$15
$12
$11
$10
$14
$13
$13
$10
$11
$10
$10
$11
$11
$12
$11
$12
$11
120
102
118
Selection 3
$63
$10
$89
$70
$98
$88
$99
$71
$85
$10
$10
$83
$88
$10
$90
$79
$99
$97
$89
$68
$89
$94
$85
$10
$90
93
76
86

19. Price Driven By Quality…Finish…
Ready For Market
Not Ready

20. Pit Falls of Grazing System
Forages not available when you need them
Too Much or Too Little Forage
Dependant on nature for rain
Abandoning the System Mid-Season
Poor Quality Market Lambs and Goats
PARASITES

21. Sometimes Things Don’t Always Look
Good…

22. What Went Wrong..Here?
 Planted Late
 Mechanical Failure of the Drill
 No Rain for 3 Weeks After
Planting
Changes For Next Year….
 Rent a Better Drill
 Plant Earlier

23. And Here?
 INTERNAL PARASITES
 Higher Diligence
 Work EVERY 2 WEEKS
 FAMACHA System
 Treat Only Those Needing
It
 Weight and Records

24. Use The FAMACHA System …

25. The Five Point Check

26. Handling Equipment We Use

27. Chute System include a
scale, headgate and turntable

29. Predator Control is Very Important

30. Forages

33. Tall Fescue
Pasture
Growth Trend

34. Orchard Grass

40. Where Can You Get Help?
 Local Agricultural Extension Agent – Resource and
Information
 NRCS Field Technicians - Resource
 FSA Staff – Farm Maps
 Local Conservation District – Soil and Forage Tests
 Seed and Fertilizer Dealers – Product Information
 New Equipment Dealers – Rental Department – No-Till
Drills
 Grazing and Forage Conferences

41. How Can You Start Your Grazing Plan?
Look At Your Farm: Field Size, Shape, Layout
Acquire Fence Energizer and Electric Nets
Select a Paddock size that will give your animals
2 days of grazing
Be sure to move water and minerals with the
animals
Don’t over graze before making the next move
Lots of Trial And Error to determine your division
sizes

42. Grazing Has Benefited Us
Reducing Feed Costs
Improved Animal Health
Improved Our Use of Resources
Start Toward Creating Local
Market
Our Experiences Have
Motivated Us To Expand
Our Grazing Plan

43. Take Home Points
Grazing is not without risk – You are managing
Nature
What works for one may not work for another
It may not work the same year after year
Stay Vigilant about Parasites
Start small – Don’t overwhelm yourself
Be Flexible and Adapt to adverse conditions
Be a Mindful Steward of the Land

44. My Favorite Websites
Sheepandgoat.com
Tennesseemeatgoats.com
Premier1supplies.com
Onpasture.com
Ohiosheep.org